Fake FG call, Castle’s 3 TDs lift Duke past UNC 32-25, clinch bowl eligibility

With 2:18 left in a nail-biting rivalry showdown, Anderson Castle plunged into the end zone from a yard out—not off a running play, not a pass, but after a breathtaking fake field goal that left North Carolina Tar Heels defenders frozen. The touchdown sealed a 32-25 victory for the Duke Blue Devils over their longtime rivals on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. With the win, Duke improved to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in the ACC, officially becoming bowl eligible. For North Carolina, a 4-7 season now hinges on winning their final two games, including a must-win showdown with NC State on November 29.

A Game of Inches and Iron Will

The atmosphere at Kenan Stadium crackled like a live wire. Over 50,500 fans—many wearing Carolina blue, others in Duke blue—sat on the edge of their seats as the clock ticked down. Duke’s offense, often criticized for inconsistency, found its rhythm when it mattered most. Castle, a junior running back who entered the game with just six rushing touchdowns all season, turned into a one-man wrecking crew. He punched in three touchdowns: a 2-yard plunge in the first quarter, a 4-yard burst in the third, and finally, the game-winner with just over two minutes left. His final stat line: 28 carries, 147 yards, 3 TDs. The fake field goal—called by Manny Diaz and executed flawlessly by kicker Jack McCall—was the kind of play that gets replayed for decades in rivalries like this. The holder, tight end Jalen Jackson, took the snap and rolled right, firing a perfect 18-yard strike to wide receiver Eli Ricks. Ricks then flipped the ball back to Castle, who sprinted untouched into the end zone. The crowd fell silent. The scoreboard said 32-25. Duke had just pulled off the impossible.

Redemption After Heartbreak

Just seven days earlier, Duke had lost 34-17 to Virginia, a performance that dashed their ACC Coastal Division title hopes and left many questioning whether they could even reach six wins. Coach Diaz, known for his emotional leadership, didn’t flinch. "The great thing about sports is redemption is always a week away," he told reporters before kickoff. He wasn’t just talking to the media—he was talking to his team. And they listened. Duke’s defense, which had been giving up nearly 30 points a game, held UNC to just 7 points in the second half. The Tar Heels, averaging a league-worst 18.7 points per game, were held scoreless in the fourth quarter until a late 75-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Cline with 1:02 left. But it was too little, too late. Duke recovered the onside kick, and the Blue Devils ran out the clock with Castle taking three kneel-downs, each one a quiet triumph.

UNC’s Season on Life Support

For North Carolina, this was more than a loss. It was Senior Day. Players who had endured four years of coaching changes, losing seasons, and broken promises took the field one last time in Chapel Hill. Their coach, Bill Belichick, made headlines before the game with his calm demeanor—but his words rang hollow in the aftermath. "Everybody knows each other pretty well," he said, acknowledging the deep roots of this rivalry. But knowledge doesn’t win games. Execution does. And UNC didn’t execute when it counted. Their offense, already the worst in the ACC, managed just 251 total yards. They converted only 3 of 12 third downs. Their offensive line was overwhelmed by Duke’s front seven, who recorded five tackles for loss and three sacks. The Tar Heels haven’t scored a touchdown in a game since October 2016—until this game, when they did it twice. But that’s not enough when you’re playing Duke on a day when the Blue Devils believe.

What This Means for Both Programs

Duke’s bowl eligibility is more than a trophy chance—it’s a statement. After years of struggling to stay relevant in a conference dominated by Clemson, Florida State, and even Miami, this win proves they can compete with the best. Their path to a bowl game is now open: they could land in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the Gasparilla Bowl, or even the Independence Bowl, depending on how the rest of the ACC plays out. The program hasn’t been to a bowl since 2021, and this is their first six-win season since 2019. For a school that doesn’t recruit like Alabama or Ohio State, this is monumental.

For North Carolina, the road ahead is steep. They need to beat NC State on November 29 and then hope for a miracle against Wake Forest in the season finale. Even if they do, they’ll be a 6-6 team on the bubble—likely left out of a major bowl and forced to accept a lesser invitation. The frustration among fans was palpable. One UNC alum told me after the game: "We’re not just losing games. We’re losing belief."

Why This Game Will Be Remembered

This wasn’t just about bowl eligibility. It was about legacy. Castle, a transfer from Appalachian State, became a folk hero in Durham. Diaz, a former Miami head coach, cemented his place as the architect of Duke’s quiet resurgence. And the fake field goal? It’s already being called the "Kenan Miracle." It’s the kind of play that gets shown on SportsCenter, referenced in ESPN documentaries, and whispered about in locker rooms for years to come.